Transcripts are just as crucial in higher education as degrees. A transcript shows your academic history, including your performance in each subject, as well as your graduation status. Unfortunately, some people still submit fake transcripts for college applications for this reason. There are significant risks involved, and the outcome can have a drastic impact on your future.
The pressure to be accepted to college is high. Students may worry because their grades are not good enough to get a spot in a competitive school. Others might be desperate to replace their official transcripts as soon as possible because they misplaced the previous one.
However, universities carefully review transcripts rather than merely looking at them. Admission officers take every precaution to ensure the documents they receive are authentic, as they understand the high stakes involved.
Colleges employ several techniques to identify fake transcripts. A typical step is to demand sealed copies straight from the issuing school. Suspicion is raised when an applicant submits transcripts that were not obtained through proper procedure.
Admission officers receive training on how to identify irregularities, such as unusual grading schemes, inconsistent formatting, or schools not listed in the state. With modern databases, it is easier to verify a school’s legitimacy and ensure that grades align with the school’s records.
Sometimes, third-party verification is used to verify academic credentials. They have advanced tools that can detect even the most convincing forgeries.
The consequences are very harsh once a student is discovered. Rejection of the application is the most direct result. Even if they had started classes, once discovered, expulsion is the next step.
The harm does not end there. The reputation of the student can be permanently damaged by being exposed to such dishonesty, and it can make it hard for them to apply elsewhere.